Blue light services collaborate to award fuel card contract worth £151m per year

BlueLight Commercial has led on a collaborative, emergency services commercial initiative which has resulted in a fuel card contract saving an estimated £14m per year.

The project involved working closely with the East of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub representing the interest of the NHS, and Fire and Rescue Services and Police Forces and has enabled the contract to be accessible to over 300 blue light organisations.

BlueLight Commercial, established by the Home Office and policing sector in 2020 to transform commercial and procurement activity and capability, awarded the contract to Allstar Business Solutions for petrol, diesel, EV and alternative fuels across Great Britain as a 2-year agreement, with two, one-year extension periods (total four years). The contract was run as a mini-competition from the Crown Commercial Services framework.

Combined emergency service organisations who can use the contract include all NHS Trusts (204), NHS Ambulance Trusts (14), Police Forces & Organisations (47), Fire & Rescue Services (53), selected Councils (3) and plus other policing and blue light partners (16).

“This is a fantastic example of blue light services working together to achieve the best possible commercial outcome, whilst sharing resource and expertise. By negotiating contract savings this has a direct and positive benefit on public resources.”

Jo Osborne, Commercial Director, BlueLight Commercial.

Through Allstar Business Solution’s network the most significant savings per litre can be realised through their 3,000 discount diesel sites across the UK. The contract also offers a discount structure applied across supermarket and branded sites.

BlueLight Commercial will continue to work with Allstar Business Solutions to ensure that the contract continues to deliver best value over the lifetime of the contract.

“Working closely with counterparts across blue light services has reinforced that our common goal regardless of sector is to deliver procurement solutions that are fit for purpose and will drive front line efficiency. This procurement process has demonstrated that working collaboratively delivers that goal whilst enabling commercial leverage to be applied, driving value for money for the taxpayer.”

Martin Taylor, Assistant Director of Procurement (Ambulance), East of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub.

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